A flabby abdomen is one of the most common aesthetic concerns for which men and women seek body contouring in NYC. Both tummy tuck and liposuction can address the problem and patients are often confused as to which procedure can provide the best results. The answer would vary based on individual concerns, according to a report from the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS):
- Extent of sagging skin: After massive weight loss, many people end up with lot of sagging skin. In this case, a tummy tuck would be the right option. The procedure involves removing excess skin tissue via an incision in the lower abdomen. On the other hand, liposuction alone could help patients who have little or no skin laxity. Plastic surgeons in NYC perform the procedure using advanced minimally-invasive technologies, such as BodyTite, that involve only tiny incisions to suction off excess fat. Advanced techniques also tighten the skin to provide a smooth, natural-looking appearance.
- Muscle laxity: Pregnancy and massive weight loss usually cause the abdominal wall to become loose. A full tummy tuck involving a hip-to-hip incision would be needed to correct extensive muscle laxity. In this case, the surgeon will perform a detailed assessment to determine whether your flabby abdomen is due to muscle laxity and/or fat.
- Personal aesthetic goals: Liposuction-only usually works better for younger patients with a stable weight and good skin elasticity. Patients who are especially concerned about even a small amount of excess skin in the tummy area are told to have liposuction first. They will be advised to then wait 3-4 months to give the skin time to shrink to the best of its ability. If they are not satisfied with the result after this “waiting period”, they can have muscle repair. Expert surgeons say that it will be easier to remove excess skin and tighten the muscles once the fat has been removed.
In the RealSelf discussion forum, a male patient had a different kind of concern. He had lost 63 pounds in the last 18-months and presently had a 31 waist. As he was planning to have gynecomastia BodyTite surgery, he wanted to know what he had options to flatten the remaining fat and skin on his stomach. He also stated that he had very firm abs underneath the squeezable fat/skin. He also posted his pictures showing his abs.
Based on the images he posted, an expert surgeon said that he might be a good candidate for BodyTite. This FDA approved body sculpting technique is effective and safe. Since the patient wanted to tighten the skin along with removing fat, the surgeon felt that BodyTite could address his concerns. However, he advised the patient an detailed in-person consultation with a plastic surgeon specialist to iron out the details
BodyTite liposuction is performed using an FDA-approved, minimally-invasive RFAL (Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction) device. It removes fat and reshapes the body, giving you the look you want without going under the knife. The procedure liquefies subcutaneous fat, coagulates blood vessels and tightens the skin in a single process. Its main benefits are:
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Requires only local anesthesia
- Significant fat reduction and body firming
- Reduced surgical trauma
- Less downtime, treatment does not require overnight stay
- Quick healing and less scarring
- The effect is strengthened and stabilized within a few weeks
Its gentle, deep heating promotes significant body tightening, often with soft tissue contraction of up to 40%. The procedure takes only 30-45 minutes and is virtually painless.
If you want to address belly flab, consult an experienced plastic surgeon in an AAAASF-accredited surgical center offering body contouring in NYC. Expert surgeons will evaluate your concerns thoroughly and tell you whether tummy tuck surgery or liposuction treatment, or both, will provide the best results.